Jordan looks totally relaxed to me and I stopped at a spot I could peek through branches to get these shots. He was so balanced and so still.
Imagine my surprise when I came around to the north of the tree and started down a track that runs along the side he has his back to, and found that he actually had Bullet stuck right out on the end of this limb and was holding him hostage.
I will upload a photo of Bullet later today. He looked anything but relaxed!
I couldn't believe my camera battery warning was flashing so I couldn't get much in the way of photos and video.
I came back a few hours later and Jordan was quite a distance away in a younger tree having a feed, and I searched but couldn't find Bullet anywhere. He is often very good at hiding when Jordan is around.
This is all perfectly normal male koala behaviour - Jordan is the alpha (look at that scent gland) and Bullet is becoming fully mature. So Jordan is ensuring his position is clear so that all can live in the colony together.
If you got this far, thanks for reading and being part of my project :)
@sugarmuser they sure do, but only one will be alpha. so if you wanna be part of the colony, you may have to learn to hide at times and keep your mouth shut ;) mmmmm not so different to most communities hahaha
@dfarrington it's funny you say that because the more I know through my daily observations, the more I realise there is to know, and no one knows most of it. they are quite fascinating :) so glad you can enjoy to learn about them and observe them through my photos
Great shot of the alpha male keeping his eye on the youngster and making sure he remains the alpha ! So good to have your expert eye and info to go with each capture !
@shutterbug49 I do not believe Bullet will be alpha - he doesn't have the temperament. I love the questions and thinking that comes through here. I also love to think that my photographs can prompt thinking and questioning :)
'Alpha' is not so much a position, as a temperament type. It is true that not all males with the alpha temperament are successful in gaining that position in a colony. Some of these become 'wanderers' and roam constantly looking for old or weaker alphas they can dispute with and win over, and looking for any opportunities to mate as they go. But an alpha-temperament that can't gain that position, will not stay in the colony as you can't have two alphas. You can have multiple males in a colony, just not two alphas for very long.
Alpha's display certain territorial behaviours from the time they begin to sexually mature - the testosterone certainly plays a part.
Physically we see the large dark scent gland on the chest and have a good indication immediately that a male is high up the hierarchy, and alpha's develop the gland and the musky smell early. The action of constantly rubbing this gland on tree trunks aids it's formation and reinforces behaviours.
Bullet displays typical behaviour of a non-dominant male, even to the level where he took on almost a nurturing role with young Dewdrop. They were not in physical contact with each other, but he shepherded her. An alpha would not do this as he has to be out moving and marking territory all the time, not sitting around with youngsters ;)
'Alpha' is not so much a position, as a temperament type. It is true that not all males with the alpha temperament are successful in gaining that position in a colony. Some of these become 'wanderers' and roam constantly looking for old or weaker alphas they can dispute with and win over, and looking for any opportunities to mate as they go. But an alpha-temperament that can't gain that position, will not stay in the colony as you can't have two alphas. You can have multiple males in a colony, just not two alphas for very long.
Alpha's display certain territorial behaviours from the time they begin to sexually mature - the testosterone certainly plays a part.
Physically we see the large dark scent gland on the chest and have a good indication immediately that a male is high up the hierarchy, and alpha's develop the gland and the musky smell early. The action of constantly rubbing this gland on tree trunks aids it's formation and reinforces behaviours.
Bullet displays typical behaviour of a non-dominant male, even to the level where he took on almost a nurturing role with young Dewdrop. They were not in physical contact with each other, but he shepherded her. An alpha would not do this as he has to be out moving and marking territory all the time, not sitting around with youngsters ;)